Country Guide • St Lucia
St. Lucia is an island located in the windward group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The island is of volcanic origin with high lava ridges and craters. It has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies, rich with tropical vegetation.
| Official Name | St Lucia |
|---|---|
| Area | 619km² (239mile²) |
| Population | 162,000 |
| Continent | Caribbean/North America |
| Population per mile² | 682 |
| Capital City | Castries |
| Religions | 86% Roman Catholic, 11% Protestant |
| Language | English (official) and French patois |
| Government | Independent republic within the British Commonwealth |
| Currency | East Caribbean Dollar |
| GDP | $866 million |
| GDP per Head | $5,400 |
| Natural Resources | Forests, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential |
| Land Use | Arable Land 5% |
| Agriculture | Bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa |
| Industry | Clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing |
| Tourism | St Lucia is one of the Caribbean's major package-tour destinations. Much of the island is still unspoilt with its small fishing villages, secluded coves, banana plantations and undulating jungle. It is awash with white sandy beaches for swimming, snorkeling and windsurfing |
| Natural Hazards | Hurricanes and volcanic activity |
| Health Risks | Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) and the fer-de-lance snake (a poisonous pit viper) |
| Climate | St. Lucia has a tropical climate. The wet season is from June - September and the dry season from February to May. Average annual rainfall varies from 59 - 68 inches on the north and on the south coasts up to 157 inches) in the interior rain forest. The average temperature is 25°C (77°F) all year round |
| Time | GMT/UTC-4 hours |
| National Days | February 22 |
| Visas | British,Australian and most other countriescitizens must be in possesion of a passport but do not need visas to enter Saint Lucia for visits up to 42 days. Citizens of the USA and Canada can enter St Lucia with proof of citizenship and a photo ID. French citizens can enter with a national identity card |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
